Learner Handbook

WELCOME / CROESO

Welcome to Bridgend College; recently judged to be an Excellent College by Estyn. We are very proud of this accolade and you may be assured that you will receive a positive educational and social experience, where you will be joining over 6,000 new learners, studying across five campuses on mainly a full-time basis. For some of you, College is the first step onto your career path having finished at school, while many others are studying to progress up the career ladder or take a different career path.

We hope that you enjoy your course, make new friends and gain the skills and confidence you need in the workplace or to progress to a higher level course. Inside this handbook, we’ve put together a range of introductory information, which you will find useful during your first few weeks or to refer to at a later date. Remember if at anytime you need some advice or assistance, we are here to help.

Your Course Tutor, Student Services or the Student Wellbeing Officers will always try to answer your questions, and if they’re not the best person to help you, they will find the person that is!

Citizenship Code

Bridgend College is a diverse community which strives to ensure the safety of its learners, staff, resources and campuses. The Citizenship Code outlines the procedures to ensure all learners are treated equitably and are supported to achieve their qualifications.

The Code can be found on the College web page together with the Policies and Procedures it refers to. The College expects all learners to maintain appropriate Citizenship standards but if learners fall below these expectations, the Disciplinary procedures as contained within the Code, will apply.

The College has a Learner Agreement which all full-time Further Education learners are expected to sign. This will be completed with your tutor during your first week.

Bridgend College Learner Agreement (Overview)

This agreement is your commitment to our Citizenship code.
What we expect of you:

Learning

100% attendance to timetabled sessions and any scheduled assessments/examinations

Full participation and commitment to and progress on all aspects of your programme of study

Behave in a responsible manner when travelling to and from college. This involves behaving in a manner that shows respect to other travellers and environment, and not displaying behaviours that could compromise the health and safety of others

Adhere to the college rules on smoking, IT use, driving vehicles on college premises

Behave in a manner which demonstrates respect for fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law and individual liberty

Tolerate others with different faiths and beliefs

Community Participation

Show respect for yourself, other learners, our staff and the college environment and resources – you must adhere to the Strategic Equality Policy, Fitness to Study Policy, IT User Policy and Health, Safety and Environment Policy

Show you are a part of the Bridgend College community by wearing your lanyard at all times

Show due respect to our neighbours with regard to behaviour, car-parking, litter, community no-go zones etc.

Behave in a manner that demonstrates respect for fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law and individual liberty

Tolerate others with different faiths and beliefs

Zero Tolerance

(These are examples but do not represent a full list)

Some activities are deemed unacceptable to the College.

Breaches of our zero-tolerance code will lead to swift, firm disciplinary action being taken at the final stage of the disciplinary process and may result in exclusion.

Examples of unacceptable behaviour include: (These examples do not represent a full and exhaustive list)

Violent or Non-Violent Extremism or Radicalisation (defined as vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs and calls for the death of members of the British armed forces, whether in this country or overseas)

Terrorism or Inciting another to commit Terrorism (under the Terrorism Act 2000) which includes action that endangers or causes serious violence to a person/people; causes serious damage to property; or seriously interferes or disrupts an electronic system. The use or threat must be designed to influence the government or to intimidate the public and is made for the purpose of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause.

Committing or Inciting others to commit ‘Terrorist-related offences’ (such as murder) which are not offences under the Terrorism legislation, but which are judged to be committed in relation to terrorism

Student Services

We are the first point of contact for your queries. If we can’t answer your question we will find someone who can. Student Services is based on the ground floor of A block at Bridgend Campus and within the main teaching block at Pencoed and in the reception areas in our other campuses. We provide information regarding financial aid, transport arrangements, advice and guidance about our curriculum areas and provide work placement assistance where that is a requirement of your course.

Student Services also records all learner absence for all those on a full-time Further Education programme, and it is imperative that learners ring in at the start of the day in order for any financial support received (EMA/WGLG) to be unaffected. Lines open at 8.00am.

Further Education Information

College Enrolment Fee

All full-time Further Education learners are expected to pay a non-refundable fee of £30.

This covers the administration of the individual library cards, bus/car passes, access to computer facilities and the processing of exam entries.

Financial Support – Further Education

There are two Welsh Government educational grants that you may be eligible for depending on your household income and the number of hours on your course of study.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

Age range: 16.17 or 18 years of age by 31st August 2018.

Income Threshold: £20,817 or below or £23,077 if there are other young people in the household in full-time education. Attendance requirements: you must be studying on a full-time course (more than 12 hours a week) and attend all your time-tabled sessions including Skills classes.

You will not be paid the EMA if you are absent without a valid reason or if you do not notify us of your absence.

Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) – previously ALG

Income Threshold: £18370 or under for the tax year prior to the start of your course.

Attendance Requirements: you must complete 275 hours on your course annually and attend all sessions. Apply: Guidance notes and an application pack can be downloaded from – studentfinancewales.co.uk

Financial Contingency Fund

You may also be eligible for financial assistance from the Financial Contingency Fund (FCF) which is provided by the Welsh Government for students in Further Education to assist with study costs. Please note we are unable to cover the full cost, you will receive a contribution.

There is no age restriction and allocation of funds is means-tested on your household income.

However, if you are in receipt of WGLG, access to the fund will be restricted to Childcare and Transport only. The household threshold for 2018/19 is £25000 or under and early application to the fund is strongly advised.

Meal Subsidy

You can make an application for a food ticket if you are aged 16-18 years of age on September 1st 2018 and are enrolled on a full-time Further Education course and you or your parents/guardians are in receipt of one of the following.

Income Support

Income Based Job Seekers Allowance

Child Tax Credit (with an annual income below £16,190)

Guaranteed Pension Credit

Support under Part VI of the immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Universal Tax Credit

If you experiencing hardship, please come and talk to us as we will consider all applications on an individual basis.

Travel

Only learners on Further Education Courses can access College transport, although Higher Education learners may be able access buses if there is room but there will be a full cost of £600 for this.

Bridgend Borough learners up to the age of 18 are eligible for a First Cymru bus pass providing they reside more than 3 miles from their place of study. All other learners (with the exception of those from the Vale of Glamorgan, who can claim for the most cost effective way of public transport,) may access the college buses.

Payment of Fees

FE Full-time

A non-refundable enrolment fee of £30 is payable in full at enrolment

Where the total course material fee is under £150, learners must pay in full at enrolment

Where the balance exceeds £150 and the course is of 10 weeks’ duration or more, instalment payments are available. In this case, the learner must supply a signed direct debit mandate on enrolment

Refund Policy For Further Education Course Fees

Refunds for further education courses will only be processed within the academic year to which they apply.

Where a learner has paid the full fees and withdraws from the course, refunds will be assessed on a termly basis:

First 2 weeks – full refund, less £20 administration fee and any equipment or materials issued

Week 3 to end of the first term – 75% refund

Term 2 – 50% refund

Term 3 – no refund

Course cancellation/rescheduling

If the college cancels a course, or the course does not start due to a lack of support, every effort will be made to offer an alternative. If no suitable alternative is available, a full refund will be given. If the college reschedules a course for a different time, day or change of site and this is not convenient for the learner, a full refund will be given.

Methods of payment

Payment can be made to reception by cash, cheque or debit/credit card, at:

Main Campus, Cowbridge Road

Pencoed

Queens Road

Maesteg

Cash/cheque only at Cardiff Arts Academy

Non-payment of course fees

Learners who do not pay their course fees may be asked to leave their course. Failure to pay any charges made to learners by the college for any goods or services provided will result in court action being taken to recover the sums outstanding. Debts may be passed to a debt recovery agency for collection.

Failure to pay course fees may also lead to exclusion from examinations until all outstanding fees have been paid. The College also retains the right to withhold certificates until all debts have been paid

General Information for all Learners

Careers Information, Advice and Guidance

Careers Wales provides free careers information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions about courses, jobs and training.

Examinations & Assessments

Guidance in relation to assessment / examination

Learners are required to complete internal, external examinations and assessments, where appropriate, in order to progress on the course. Learners will be given feedback on the assessment decisions made internally.

The College may refuse to allow learners to enter for external assessments if progress, attendance and attainment are unsatisfactory. If learners do not meet the deadlines set by the Awarding Body, the work may be submitted at the next assessment window. This may compromise progression to further courses or work.

Any course work which is not undertaken under formal examination conditions, and which counts towards the learner’s award must be the individual’s own work and must not contain plagiarised material. Use of plagiarised material in such course work will be treated as a disciplinary matter.

Learners must follow the rules set by the Awarding Body or Examination Board. Learners must not become involved in any unfair or dishonest practice in any part of the examination.

This includes:

Sitting an examination in the name of another candidate, or allowing another candidate or person to sit an examination in your name (this is gross misconduct and may amount to a criminal offence)

Taking unauthorised material or equipment into the examination room; this includes notes, bags and electronic/radio communication devices including mobile phones. Copying another person’s work and submitting as your own

Learners who wish to withdraw from a course/module/examination after registration/entry has been completed, will be charged the appropriate entry fee. This will be waived in instances of ill health or exceptional personal circumstances – Learners will be given feedback

Appeals

Should you wish to appeal an assessment decision, please speak with the relevant tutor. If there is no resolution at this stage, the appeal should be handed to the Section Leader for scrutiny. If no resolution is reached at this stage, the appeal should be passed to the Curriculum Area Manager. If there is still no resolution at this stage, the final decision on an appeal will lie with the College’s Quality Manager

Making a Complaint

If you have any reason to make a complaint about any aspect of your college experience, every effort will be made to resolve the issue with the person concerned. If you are unhappy with the outcome of this action, your complaint should be put in writing and forwarded to Melanie Glover PA to the Principal.

Our Success Centres can be found at Cowbridge Road and Pencoed Campuses. They provide information and guidance, while acting as support bases for learner centred learning. The Success Centre at Pencoed is situated on the 1st floor of Block B, whilst the Success Centre at Bridgend is on the 1st floor of Block A.

They include the following resources:-

Computer workstations with a full range of Microsoft applications

Quiet learning area at Bridgend Campus

Monochrome (Black and White) and Colour photocopying and printing facilities

Books for loan and e-books

Up-to-date reference sources in print and on-line

DVDs, videos and maps for short loan

Magazines, journals and newspapers including 30 on-line journals

Careers and Higher Education information

Branded collections in certain areas, e.g. ESOL at Bridgend

Friendly and knowledgeable staff to offer support.

The Queens Road Campus has study facilities which include a quiet study room with PCs on both floors, two open atrium areas for informal use and bookable seminar rooms. Bridgend Campus has specific student parking spaces for Queens Road students to access the Success Centre.

Learndirect

You can also study on line at Bridgend College, or use self study packs provided by learndirect.

There are many courses on offer ranging from IT through to personal development. Our learndirect centre is based within Block G at Bridgend Campus – visit the team to find out more!

Gwasanaethau Cymraeg

Being bilingual is an extra skill and could be an advantage to you when it comes to getting a job in the future. A number of jobs require staff who can speak both English and Welsh.

Here at Bridgend College, there are plenty of different opportunities to use your Welsh both as part of your studies or outside of your course.

If you would like to maintain or develop your Welsh skills then please let your course tutor or contact Carys Swain by e-mail cswain@bridgend.ac.uk

There are lots of opportunities to use Welsh across the College, for example:

* available on some courses e.g Childhood Studies, Hair and Beauty & Travel and Tourism.

Your ID Card

Most learners will have completed the process for photo ID at enrolment. If not, you should visit the LRC in order to obtain your card. You should have your card with you whenever you are in college, as without it you will not be able to use the LRC, Library, print or photocopy, or collect financial information from Learner Services.

Your first card is free and includes an initial credit towards your printing and photocopying costs. If necessary you can ‘top up’ your card with cash at the machines which are available on the campuses at Bridgend, Pencoed and Queens Road. Learners at Maesteg Campus will need to liaise with Reception staff.

When you photocopy items or send work to print in the LRC, you must swipe your ID card at the machines and the cost will be debited at this point. When you send an item to print from a computer in the IT rooms, you will be charged automatically. If you do not have sufficient credit on your card to pay for the job, no items will be printed or copied.

If you lose your card, change your course, or your personal details change, you must inform the LRC staff straight away. A replacement for a lost or damaged card will cost you £5.00. You will also have to pay fines if Library resources are not returned on time.

Printing / Photocopying Costs

Black and White

pence

Colour

pence

A4 single

3

A4 single

6

A4 duplex

3

A4 duplex

5

A3 single

4

A3 single

8

A3 duplex

4

A3 duplex

7

Health, Safety & Sustainability

It is the policy of Bridgend College to take all reasonable and practical steps to safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of all learners and to minimise negative impacts on the environment.

Please refer to the webpage for further details on our Health, Safety and Environmental Policy.

IT Services

Learner Portal

All enrolled learners at Bridgend College will have access to the college student portal https://student.bridgend.ac.uk. Access is automatically generated after you have enrolled and logged into your account in college. From the portal you can access your learner resources, including timetable, emails (provided by Google), college news.

How to access your learner email account

For the very first time you login you must be on site and use a college computer, where you will be asked to change it to a password of your choice.